In commemoration of Arizona’s 100th birthday coming up on February 14, 2012, AAA of Arizona has a feature article on “Local Legends” – 8 famous Arizonans we’re proud to call our own.”

Instead of telling you who they are I will be providing some clues, for you to decipher. Or you can skip down to the bottom of this blog for the answers.

1. Mid Western architect who moved to Scottsdale and founded an architecture school

2. Former Arizona Cardinals football player who was killed by friendly fire in Afghanistan

3. Female singer with rock group Fleetwood Mac

4. Newspaper columnist & humorist of “At Wit’s End”

5. Phoenix Suns basketball player from 1992 to 1996

6. Architect/Creator of Arcosanti, and the concept of arcology, “the harmonious marriage of architecture with ecology”

7. First woman appointed to U.S. Supreme Court (and sister to a Pima County Supervisor)

8. Five term U.S. Senator and unsuccessful nominee for U.S. President (deceased, so the answer is not John McCain)

You can read the article in the January/February 2012 issue of “Highroads” (pages 30-33) with photos of these famous persons. Or online by clicking here: http://www.aaaaz.com/highroads/?zip=85706&stateprov=az&city=tucson&devicecd=PC

Answers:

1. Frank Lloyd Wright

2. Pat Tillman

3. Stevie Nicks

4. Erma Bombeck

5. Charles Barkley

6. Paolo Soleri

7. Justice Sandra Day O’Connor (sister of retiring Supervisor Ann Day)

8. U.S. Senator Barry Goldwater

How many did you get correct? And have any of you personally met any of these Arizona local legends?

I’ve only visited Wright’s beautiful home Taliesen West in Scottsdale (and his amazing creation “Fallingwater” house in Pennsylvania), met Supervisor Ann Day (but not the former Justice), and have heard Barry Goldwater Jr. speak of his father at the Festival of Books in his book “Pure Goldwater”(co-authored with John Dean).

Fellow blogger “Veteran Veritas” (Marine Michael Patrick Brewer) wrote a recent article about the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam war (click here), complete with photos. Coincidentally I had recently I picked up a copy of Arizona Senior Senator John McCain’s 1999 memoir “Faith of my Fathers”, co-authored with his former legislative/administrative aide Mark Salter.

It is engrossing, compelling autobiography of a boy who grew up in the shadow of a 4 star Admiral grandfather, John Sidney McCain Senior, and a 4 star Admiral father John Sidney McCain Junior, both commanders in the U.S. Navy. John Sidney McCain III (now Arizona’s senior U.S. Senator) had no choice but to enter the U.S. Naval Academy (where he was a disobedient student) and then volunteered to fight in Vietnam, as a Navy pilot. On his 23rd bombing run over North Vietnam, his A-4 plane was shot down near Hanoi.

The book has several harrowing chapters detailing the subsequent capture and imprisonment of Navy pilot Lt. Commander McCain in the infamous “Hanoi Hilton” jail and “The Plantation” POW camp, as well as others. Warning to readers: this is not easy reading due to the graphic nature of the deprivations/hardships & torture described over a 5 and a half year period. I am truly amazed that anyone survived those POW camps run by the Vietcong. Many did not.

To survive the repeated beatings, McCain says he turned to his faith (page 257 in “Lanterns of Faith” chapter):

“This is the faith that my commanders affirmed, that my brothers-in-arms encouraged my allegiance to. It was the faith I had unknowingly embraced at the Naval Academy. It was my father’s and grandfather’s faith. A filty, crippled, broken man, all I had left of my dignity was the faith of my fathers. It was enough.” Despite the torture, McCain turned down several opportunities to be sent home early (due to being an Admiral’s son) as he refused to leave before everyone was freed.

He also eloquently wrote in the previous paragraph: “Glory belongs to the act of being constant to something greater than yourself, to a cause, to your principles, to the people on whom you rely, and who rely on you in return. No misfortune, no injury, no humiliation can destroy it.”

McCain was a POW from October 26, 1967 to March 14, 1973 during the Vietnam Conflict, and he suffered permanent injuries from his torture (read more in wikipedia).

Towards the end of his captivity he recalls witnessing guards dragging fellow POW Mike Christian (Navy bombardier-navigator) away & later returned him beaten badly (punctured eardrum & several broken ribs). Mike had been punished because had sewn a make-shift American flag from scraps, which the other POWs had been saying the Pledge of Allegiance to. That evening while others slept injured Mike crawled over to some naked light bulbs and starting sewing another flag. Says McCain of this incident “I witnessed many acts of heroism in prison, but none braver than that.” (from “Pledge of Allegiance” chapter, page 336)

Even if you don’t always agree with Arizona’s Senator John McCain’s political stances, pick up this gripping, well-written memoir to learn more about his courageous past, and his strong sense of family.

WARD 2 OPEN HOUSE AND TOY DRIVE
Join us for some holiday refreshments and a children’s Toy Drive to “Stuff the Bus” benefiting the Miracle on 31st Street Charity on Monday, December 20, 2010, from 4-7 p.m. at the Ward 2 Council Office located at 7575
E. Speedway.

Please feel free to stop by Ward 2 Eastside City Hall parking lot all day on December 20 starting at 9 a.m. to drop off new unwrapped toys. You may also bring some cookies, brownies or other holiday treats to share with others at the open house. You may RSVP by calling 791-4687.

Ward 2 Councilman Paul Cunningham was appointed in May, 2010 to this position, after the previous Councilman Rodney Glassman resigned to run for U.S. Senate against incumbent U.S. Senator John McCain.

Councilmember Paul Cunningham

Ward 2 Council staff:
Katie Bolger, Chief of Staff
Mary Fimbres, Council Administrative Assistant
Justin Searle, Council Administrative Assistant
Amanda Colón, Administrative Assistant
Demitri Downing, Aide

Mary Fimbres is Ward 5 Councilmember Richard Fimbres’ wife, and Demitri Downing is one of former LD 28 House Rep. Ted Downing’s sons.

Donate some toys, enjoy the refreshments, and meet the new Councilmember.

Other recent Council ward holidays events:

Ward 1 Tamale contest & holiday event on Dec. 9 (click here).

Wards 3 & 6 holiday events on Dec. 15 and 17 (click here).